The series of closures began when the company closed all 23 of its sites in the Atlanta market, and five more in central Michigan some days later.

According to The Star Press, Donatos senior vice president Tom Krouse said the company's remaining 20 central-Indiana stores will remain open, and that the closures weren't related to local competition.

"Pizza King has a great organization and great restaurants," said Krouse, referring to the 110-store Lafayette, Ind.-based chain. "It has a real good product, but the closing of these two stores was not directly related to competition from Pizza King."

In related news reports, Krouse has said that some of the closed Donatos stores will be reopened as upgraded pick-up, delivery and dine-in operations, which the chain has rolled out in several U.S. states. Those stores have extended menus including pizza, sub sandwiches, salads and dessert pizzas.

Thirty such sites have opened this year, and Krouse told The Star Press one such store could open in Muncie.